NEW YORK (CNN) – It was announced last week that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton would attend a series of fundraisers in New York together, one to help pay down her campaign debt and the rest to help raise money for his White House bid.

But a busy day in the Senate delayed Obama in Washington, forcing him to combine two events into one where he was supposed to ask donors to help Clinton as well as contribute to his campaign.

Wednesday night, he praised Clinton as “extraordinary” and “tough” - but nearly forgot about her need for funds.

After wrapping up his speech to donors Wednesday evening with an emphatic, “We will change the world!”, Obama left the stage to loud music, only to re-appear minutes later to complete his duties.

“Hold on a second guys, I was getting all carried away. I’ve got one more thing that is important to do,” Obama said to a laughing audience. “Senator Clinton still has some debt. And I could have had some debt if I hadn’t won so I know the drill.”

He then asked donors to contribute to Clinton on the pledge cards under their seats, calling it “part of the process of making sure that we are unified moving forward.”

“That is very important to us, and obviously Senator Clinton would be grateful as well,” he added.

Clinton ended her campaign more than $20 million in debt. More than half of that is her own money, which she lent her campaign during the primaries but is not looking to recoup.

soundoff(597 Responses)

tai

Obama is such a genuine and funny guy. Im sure soem republicans will call this "inexpericed", how cud he forgot, you guys are pathetic.

July 10, 2008 10:14 am at 10:14 am |

Marilyn, Kansas City

I wish he would forget her. But unfortunately he has to appease her immature, temper-tantrum throwing supporters. Hilary should have planned a better campaign and spent reasonably if she didn't want to be in so much debt. If she was so careless with her campaign money, who knows what she would have done with the country's money? I'm glad that she is not the Democratic nominee.

July 10, 2008 10:15 am at 10:15 am |

rich

Why did Clinton run up her debt when it was clear the nomination was a loosing propositon? Furthermore, why should donors who are strugglying pay off the campaign debt of a woman who is a multimilionare? This inquiring mind wants to know.

July 10, 2008 10:15 am at 10:15 am |

SW

How cares!

July 10, 2008 10:16 am at 10:16 am |

MCR

Unbelievable! It is all about Obama, he thinks. Another example of egotism.

July 10, 2008 10:16 am at 10:16 am |

E Carr

It boggles my mind that Clinton, having mismanaged her own campaign's finances, expects others to pay off her debt. This is simply not the way the world works. You make your decisions, and you bear the consequences, good or bad.

July 10, 2008 10:17 am at 10:17 am |

California Voter

First it is change America and now the world. Apparently he ego has not bounds! He" forgets" to ask donors to contribute to Clinton. He knows the "drill"? Wow, no wonder Jesse Jackson was upset with Obama.

July 10, 2008 10:18 am at 10:18 am |

V. from Virginia

Hillary lost fair and square. Did we see McCain helping Romney with HIS campagn debts, no. Why help Hillary?

July 10, 2008 10:18 am at 10:18 am |

Erika, KS

Oh, I can't stand this man! His arrogance is astounding! He almost forgot? Please. He's so glib it makes me sick. Go away Obama.

July 10, 2008 10:18 am at 10:18 am |

What if?

Clinton had and has 18+ MILLION, WERE are they now, the people that WERE SHOUTING, CRYING and SHOWING SUCH BAD EXAMPLE OF ANGER that claimed how much of a true supporters they were, where are THEY and THEIR MONEY? IF EACH 18+ MILLION PAY $1, Her DEBT would be PAID and she would get the opportunity to reunite the $11 million +, she LOANED to herself from her millionaire personal bank account.

I SAY AGAIN, THIS IS REALLY INSANE, Obama has did enough for Clinton. It appears that it is Obama responsibility to pick up her 18+ million supporters SLACK….WHY? SHE IS A GROWN WOMAN, that I am understand when numbers are not in your favor……

Obama should not be held responsible for people who make their own mistakes……..That INCLUDES Jesse Jackson, I thought he was better then Bill Clinton, now he has shown us with his dumbfound mind and mouth that, he is worst then Bill Clinton, he‘s been in the politic world to long to make such a DUMB mistake to follow with a LAME apology.

Obama 08

July 10, 2008 10:18 am at 10:18 am |

Jill in Chicago

As a democrat, and still upset about Patti Solis Doyle, I am starting to seriously doubt I will vote for Obama. Not holding a grudge, however, not forgetting.

July 10, 2008 10:19 am at 10:19 am |

Brian

All about Polotics and nothing else, this guy is the biggest phony ever.
Ronald Regan is rolling over in his grave.

July 10, 2008 10:19 am at 10:19 am |

hall01

This is a non-issue and a non-story. We expect crap like this from Fox. Not CNN which is still a respected news source. We expect more. It seems like; if Obama coughs it's posted as a major issue. While McCain changes his position (flip flops) on issues, miss represent his voting record and takes credit for Bill's he did not even support, without even a single word on CNN. I hoped after the news media shameful disserved the country in its reporting leading up to the Iraq War, that you, the media, would look in the mirror and say "Never Again." It seems it was only a hope.

July 10, 2008 10:19 am at 10:19 am |

BlahBlahBlahOblama

Well Shazam!!!! Another blunder from the dem camp. Hard to imagine.....

Man, you can just smell the unity!

McCain/08

July 10, 2008 10:20 am at 10:20 am |

Bryan NY

Clinton who?

July 10, 2008 10:20 am at 10:20 am |

Richard (from Puerto Rico)

He should alltogether forget her, she arrogantly, comptentousoy and desideously, pump money into her lost capaign just to hurt Obamas' opportunities. She knew she could not win the nomination, the numbers were forthfully against her. So what are we talking about here . She tried to sell him and make him carry the money, and she failed. Imagine her campaign manager McCaully, introducing her in her last campaign speech, "and here is the next President of the U.S". After Obama, had clinched the nomination with more than the 1125 delegates needed.
Like someone asked, "where are the 18 million Hillary supporters"? At the small rate of $1.50 each, is more than enough to clear her debt, they voted for her, let them releave her, besides she and hobby made over 100 Millions this year and she wants to go Scott-free. I think not, let her pay for her irresponsible and arrogant spending in spite of Obamas' success

July 10, 2008 10:20 am at 10:20 am |

ladyatlaw2

i must think about this. The woman created a prob for herself and the party she represents I know that had it been her in the lead that she would have sung a different tune. i will not giove her a dime not even to put Obama in whitehouse.

July 10, 2008 10:21 am at 10:21 am |

pixel eyes

Nice move Mr, O!!!!

GObama!!!!

July 10, 2008 10:21 am at 10:21 am |

Toni

I know he is busy,but 'if you want to play with the big boys you must get off the porch".Obama shows how unprepared he is for this very important job anytime he goofs up.The wrong candidate won.We seem to continously make the same mistakes.Boy are we in trouble.

July 10, 2008 10:21 am at 10:21 am |

Jigga

Hope he and the rest of us forget about hillary permanently!

Obama 08'

July 10, 2008 10:21 am at 10:21 am |

Paul

Oh wait, there she is, under the bus!!!!!!!

July 10, 2008 10:22 am at 10:22 am |

Joe from Chula Vista

As an Obama supporter, I really think it's great that Obama is helping out his fellow Dem Hillary Clinton with her enormous debt. I just wish a majority of her supporters would think the same!

Let's all get unified!

Obama in '08!!!

July 10, 2008 10:22 am at 10:22 am |

Marcus Allen

She decided to spend MORE money than she took in.
It's her personal debt, it has nothing to do with Obama.
Anyone that spends 10 times more that what the job actually pays is a moron (or expecting enough influence to make up the difference). Either way, it's not a good move by a decent person.

July 10, 2008 10:24 am at 10:24 am |

webster208

And you trust him to keep his word on more important matters?

July 10, 2008 10:24 am at 10:24 am |

Jimmy P - Chicago

She ought to do what she really wants to do, support McCain. It's obvious the Clinton's are well aware of what a disaster this man will mean for this country. Totally apparent by the lack-luster effort by both Clintons and Clinton organizers since the end of the primary. If she actually had the fortitude to back McCain, even unofficially, Hillary would go down in history as one of the greatest polititcians of all time. Country first, something the self-righteous Chicago activist could never understand!